Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.
Hear stories of . . .
The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
The GHOST of Church Street
The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
The architect walled into his own church!
The KILLING SPREE of 1906
NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald
Join us for a North Carolina winery tour and celebrate a date night, bachelorette party, retirement, family, or a weekend away while sampling our favorite local beverages along the way. Our standard tour includes visits to three Asheville area vineyards. With safe and reliable transportation provided, you can sit back, relax and just have fun.
Included:
- Round trip transportation*
- Three vineyard visits
- Tastings at two of your three stops. Let’s just say that the pours at the first couple of locations are generous so we like to leave the third-stop beverage choice up to you.
- Time commitment = up to 5 hours
Want to include specific vineyards on your Asheville wine tours? If you have “must-see” wineries in mind or want to craft a full day catered to your group’s interests, we’re always happy to create a custom experience. Reach out any time!
Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light shows as we explore the forest, hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly species!
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a very unique creature that some say resembles a collection of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest.
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
You’ll experience an educational presentation at our outdoor amphitheater starting at 8:45 pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest. Team members will be stationed at key locations around the trail to provide further information about this amazing natural phenomenon. Please feel free to congregate near these areas with your fellow firefly enthusiasts, or go explore on your own! We require everyone to stay on the trail to prevent habitat damage, and team members will clear the trail and require everyone to depart by 10:30 pm.
Ticket Purchase/Pre-registration is required. Actual tickets are not provided. Your ticket purchase receipt serves as your ticket/date confirmation. This is a light rain or shine, family-friendly event!
In order to maximize our participant experience while minimizing our impact on the resource, we limit each night to 125 participants.
Due to the uniqueness of the insects in the natural habitat, it is very difficult to capture photos. Very specific camera equipment is needed and it is almost impossible to capture a photo with a phone camera. Flash from the cameras disturbs the natural habitat and because it is dark, other participants will not see your equipment and you run the risk of damage. Setting up a tripod in the cover of darkness and attempting to capture photos with 125 additional people on the nightly tour is very difficult and does not provide a positive experience for both you or the additional tour attendees. The best way to view this natural phenomenon is to capture the images in your mind’s eye.
If you are interested in taking photos or for photography enthusiasts, we are offering a specific Blue Ghost Photography event and would suggest that you register for the Blue Ghost Photo Tours.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EVENT? CHECK OUT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS INFORMATION SHEET
PLEASE NOTE: If the date you wish to attend is not appearing as a selection for ticket purchase, that date is at capacity so you will need to select another date to attend.
Tickets will ONLY be available for purchase ONLINE. All ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE AND CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER NIGHT. You CANNOT purchase tickets on site at the Cradle.
There is NO waitlist for this event.
Gates open at 8:00 pm
Event from 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm
Program starts promptly at 8:45 pm
WHAT TO BRING
Rain Jacket
Flashlight (we provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight)
Comfortable Walking Shoes (For optimal viewing and to protect the habitat we request that “light up” shoes NOT be worn)
Please leave all types of Cameras at home. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, cameras, mobile phone cameras and tripods are not recommended for this event. The event is best enjoyed and remembered through your mind’s eye!
Sense of Wonder
Whether you’re just getting into craft beer or we’re on your brewery bucket list, a Mills River tour is for you — so we recommend you reserve a spot! Our interactive tours offer everything from hop handling to nature hikes to — what you really came for — beer sampling.
Space on each tour is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Make yours below. Looking to book a private tour? Fill out the private tour form, and we’ll get it organized. See you soon!
Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.
Hear stories of . . .
The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
The GHOST of Church Street
The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
The architect walled into his own church!
The KILLING SPREE of 1906
NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald
Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes
About
Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!
Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!
Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.
Age Restrictions
13 and up. No exceptions.
Stops
10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery
What’s Included
Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop
What’s Not Included
Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.
There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville! Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”
Tour Highlights include . . . Downtown Asheville | Montford Historic District | The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District | Thomas Wolfe District | Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum | Grove Arcade | River Arts District | Biltmore Village
Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts . . .
Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.
Tour Duration: The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes. There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center. The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.
Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops. If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option. The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.
How a tarot reading works:
Your group reading will begin with an intention-setting, guided meditation. From there, each participant will enjoy a 10-15 minute personalized reading of the cards whose symbolism and possible messages will be interpreted. The cards anchor us back into larger cycles of growth, provide solace through tough times, and encourage us to stay on our path.
The central question the card is meant to address is, “What is it that I need to focus on at this moment to take the next step towards realizing my heart’s desire?” Readings can, though, focus specifically on any aspect of your life, such as your career or relationships.
During readings — whether it’s a virtual tarot reading or in-person — we turn off our phones, gather in a circle, and take a few, deep breaths to center ourselves. We then give each person a chance to ask a question and receive a reading. There are often a few tears, lots of laughs, and plenty of group discussion.
This event is fun and illuminating, offering everyone a deeper connection to everyday magic.
Tarot Reading Cost & Options:
- In-Person Readings in Asheville: we’ll come to you at your home or vacation rental, meet you in a city park, or settle in at a local tea house.
- Online Readings: connect with your crew and experience a bit of Asheville…no matter how far apart you may be!
Cost:
- Base price = $160 (includes up to 4 guests, 1hr total)
- Additional guests = $40/person (approximately 10-15 mins per person)
- 20+ guests and/or special events = please contact us.
- Hourly rates are available for larger parties with the option to work with multiple readers to optimize your time together.
- Book Now
Note that locations more than 10 miles from downtown Asheville will include an additional travel fee.
Our tarot readers can come to your home, office, or vacation rental or meet you at a city park, cozy tea house, or local café. Not in Asheville? No worries! We can also meet you online for a virtual tarot reading…no matter where in the world you may be.
Note that locations more than 10 miles from downtown Asheville include an additional travel fee at the rate of $25 for each additional 10 miles. Example: 0-10 miles included | 11-20 miles $25 | 21-30 miles $50 and so on.
This year’s tour features over 90 artists and 10 galleries spread throughout Mitchell & Yancey Counties. Our talented Toe River Arts artist members are glass blowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, fiber artists, metal workers, painters, sculptors, photographers, mixed media artists, and woodworkers.
Only 40 minutes north of Asheville and two hours from Charlotte & Greenville, the Studio Tour makes for an exciting day trip or a fantastic way to enjoy a weekend mini vacation. Both Chambers of Commerce in Burnsville-Yancey and Mitchell County provide information on lodging, eateries, and other local events. Additionally, Toe River Arts is incredibly grateful to Explore Burnsville for being the event sponsor.
For more than a quarter century, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has intrigued those who make the journey to visit places of inspiration and creation. Situated between Roan Mountain, which boasts the world’s largest rhododendron garden, and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a free, self-guided
Artist studios are exciting places to visit because they offer a glimpse into the dynamic processes used to create a finished piece. Every artist has their own way of telling a story, inviting visitors to ask questions, hold their work, and share a moment. You can count on the studios being as unique as the artists: the building off to the side of the house, or across the field or down the road or right off the main road or down a gravel one-lane. Two-stories with a gallery space or small and cozy with a table set up or cleared off for display. Still there are others that devote a corner to each artist sharing the space.
The June Studio Tour Exhibition is now open in the Kokol Gallery, in Toe River Arts’ Spruce Pine location at 269 Oak Ave, and runs through Sunday, June 9, 2024. This exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to have a glimpse into each studio and plan their route. It is also a great place to begin the tour or take a break from a day of non-stop art and artists.
Normal gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday; and 10am – 5pm during the Studio Tour, 5/31 – 6/2.
Toe River Arts is a non-profit organization that has been connecting the community with the arts for over four decades.
Join us for a North Carolina winery tour and celebrate a date night, bachelorette party, retirement, family, or a weekend away while sampling our favorite local beverages along the way. Our standard tour includes visits to three Asheville area vineyards. With safe and reliable transportation provided, you can sit back, relax and just have fun.
Included:
- Round trip transportation*
- Three vineyard visits
- Tastings at two of your three stops. Let’s just say that the pours at the first couple of locations are generous so we like to leave the third-stop beverage choice up to you.
- Time commitment = up to 5 hours
Want to include specific vineyards on your Asheville wine tours? If you have “must-see” wineries in mind or want to craft a full day catered to your group’s interests, we’re always happy to create a custom experience. Reach out any time!
Explore Beer City on the one and only Fender Bender!
Duration
3 hours
About
Visit 3 breweries in under three hours on a purple bus with a live band! Beer purchased from the LaZoom Room or at the brewery stops are allowed on the bus. This tour sells out quickly, so please book in advance. This tour is perfect for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and any kind of get together. This tour is not great if you want to see any behind the scenes of beer making. We’re all about the fun on this tour!
Age Restrictions
21 and up. No exceptions.
What’s Included
3 Brewery Stops (30 Minutes each) Highland, New Belgium, & The Wedge at Foundation
Bottled Water
Amazing Live Music
Transportation to breweries
Charismatic Beer Host
What’s Not Included
Beer (You can buy from The LaZoom Room)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.
Waitlist
If your desired time and availability is full, then please give us a call to be added to the waitlist.
Slice of Life Presents: Canna Comic Cuisine?
Two Infused Dinner & Comedy Shows
Friday May 31, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
& 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Rezonance Lounge via The Green Room 51 College St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Featuring a 3-course meal from Infuso including an infused Smashburger, infused salad, infused gourmet banana pudding, and a selection of infused cannabis drinks and surprise samples from local hemp brands.
Comedians curated by Slice of Life Comedy! Vaping (of The Green Room’s products only) is permitted.
Featuring Petey Smith McDowell
Space is limited, go to Smokesome.green to reserve your spots today!
Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light shows as we explore the forest, hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly species!
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a very unique creature that some say resembles a collection of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest.
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
You’ll experience an educational presentation at our outdoor amphitheater starting at 8:45 pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest. Team members will be stationed at key locations around the trail to provide further information about this amazing natural phenomenon. Please feel free to congregate near these areas with your fellow firefly enthusiasts, or go explore on your own! We require everyone to stay on the trail to prevent habitat damage, and team members will clear the trail and require everyone to depart by 10:30 pm.
Ticket Purchase/Pre-registration is required. Actual tickets are not provided. Your ticket purchase receipt serves as your ticket/date confirmation. This is a light rain or shine, family-friendly event!
In order to maximize our participant experience while minimizing our impact on the resource, we limit each night to 125 participants.
Due to the uniqueness of the insects in the natural habitat, it is very difficult to capture photos. Very specific camera equipment is needed and it is almost impossible to capture a photo with a phone camera. Flash from the cameras disturbs the natural habitat and because it is dark, other participants will not see your equipment and you run the risk of damage. Setting up a tripod in the cover of darkness and attempting to capture photos with 125 additional people on the nightly tour is very difficult and does not provide a positive experience for both you or the additional tour attendees. The best way to view this natural phenomenon is to capture the images in your mind’s eye.
If you are interested in taking photos or for photography enthusiasts, we are offering a specific Blue Ghost Photography event and would suggest that you register for the Blue Ghost Photo Tours.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EVENT? CHECK OUT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS INFORMATION SHEET
PLEASE NOTE: If the date you wish to attend is not appearing as a selection for ticket purchase, that date is at capacity so you will need to select another date to attend.
Tickets will ONLY be available for purchase ONLINE. All ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE AND CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER NIGHT. You CANNOT purchase tickets on site at the Cradle.
There is NO waitlist for this event.
Gates open at 8:00 pm
Event from 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm
Program starts promptly at 8:45 pm
WHAT TO BRING
Rain Jacket
Flashlight (we provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight)
Comfortable Walking Shoes (For optimal viewing and to protect the habitat we request that “light up” shoes NOT be worn)
Please leave all types of Cameras at home. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, cameras, mobile phone cameras and tripods are not recommended for this event. The event is best enjoyed and remembered through your mind’s eye!
Sense of Wonder
Whether you’re just getting into craft beer or we’re on your brewery bucket list, a Mills River tour is for you — so we recommend you reserve a spot! Our interactive tours offer everything from hop handling to nature hikes to — what you really came for — beer sampling.
Space on each tour is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Make yours below. Looking to book a private tour? Fill out the private tour form, and we’ll get it organized. See you soon!
Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.
Hear stories of . . .
The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
The GHOST of Church Street
The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
The architect walled into his own church!
The KILLING SPREE of 1906
NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald
Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes
About
Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!
Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!
Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.
Age Restrictions
13 and up. No exceptions.
Stops
10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery
What’s Included
Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop
What’s Not Included
Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.
There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville! Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”
Tour Highlights include . . . Downtown Asheville | Montford Historic District | The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District | Thomas Wolfe District | Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum | Grove Arcade | River Arts District | Biltmore Village
Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts . . .
Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.
Tour Duration: The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes. There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center. The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.
Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops. If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option. The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.
How a tarot reading works:
Your group reading will begin with an intention-setting, guided meditation. From there, each participant will enjoy a 10-15 minute personalized reading of the cards whose symbolism and possible messages will be interpreted. The cards anchor us back into larger cycles of growth, provide solace through tough times, and encourage us to stay on our path.
The central question the card is meant to address is, “What is it that I need to focus on at this moment to take the next step towards realizing my heart’s desire?” Readings can, though, focus specifically on any aspect of your life, such as your career or relationships.
During readings — whether it’s a virtual tarot reading or in-person — we turn off our phones, gather in a circle, and take a few, deep breaths to center ourselves. We then give each person a chance to ask a question and receive a reading. There are often a few tears, lots of laughs, and plenty of group discussion.
This event is fun and illuminating, offering everyone a deeper connection to everyday magic.
Tarot Reading Cost & Options:
- In-Person Readings in Asheville: we’ll come to you at your home or vacation rental, meet you in a city park, or settle in at a local tea house.
- Online Readings: connect with your crew and experience a bit of Asheville…no matter how far apart you may be!
Cost:
- Base price = $160 (includes up to 4 guests, 1hr total)
- Additional guests = $40/person (approximately 10-15 mins per person)
- 20+ guests and/or special events = please contact us.
- Hourly rates are available for larger parties with the option to work with multiple readers to optimize your time together.
- Book Now
Note that locations more than 10 miles from downtown Asheville will include an additional travel fee.
Our tarot readers can come to your home, office, or vacation rental or meet you at a city park, cozy tea house, or local café. Not in Asheville? No worries! We can also meet you online for a virtual tarot reading…no matter where in the world you may be.
Note that locations more than 10 miles from downtown Asheville include an additional travel fee at the rate of $25 for each additional 10 miles. Example: 0-10 miles included | 11-20 miles $25 | 21-30 miles $50 and so on.
Explore Asheville with the whole family!
Age Restrictions
All Ages Welcome!
(Content is geared towards ages 5-12 years old)
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Children 3 and under do not need a ticket if they are sitting in an adults lap.
Duration
60 Minutes
What’s Included
Crazy funny guide
Off-bus characters
Fun facts about Asheville
Age-appropriate jokes
About
Now’s your chance to bring the whole family on the big purple bus! Educational and entertaining, LaZoom’s Kids’ Comedy tour features a perfect blend of Asheville information and kid-centric comedy. Geared specifically towards the 5-12 year old crowd, you’ll learn about our city’s history and see the sights in true LaZoom style – complete with our famously outlandish tour guides, hilarious comedy skits, and all sorts of special appearances! Perfect for birthday parties or school field trips, it’s the best thing to do with your kids in Asheville. It’s a show on wheels!
The tour is 60 minutes long and includes no stops. The tour is hosted by a zany tour guide, and along the way other characters will hop on the bus and perform kid-centric sketches (Candy Pirate, Ninja, and a Levitator) The tour is not only fun – it’s educational! Kids and adults will learn new and interesting facts about Asheville along the way. There must be 1 adult for every 4 children. We do not allow any unaccompanied children. Children 3 and under do not need a ticket if they are sitting in an adults lap.
Waitlist
If your desired time and availability is full, then please give us a call to be added to the waitlist.
Are YOU READY for NERD PRIDE FEST 2024!!
Saturday, June 1st 2024 : 10am – 4pm
Asheville’s local artist convention every first Saturday in June in honor of Pride month! This is a fun, free way to celebrate pride month by supporting local artists and nonprofits who do incredible things for the queer LGBT+ community in western North Carolina.
Nerd Pride Fest was our first ever event in our current location. So it had to be to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reopening with food, games, live music, and more.
As a shop owned and operated by queer-identifying folks, The Nerd Dungeon is committed to being a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages to express themselves any time of year, not just during Pride Month. We will always be a 3rd Place.
It is nice to have an excuse to go all-out and party, though! Pride Cosplay encouraged!
This year’s tour features over 90 artists and 10 galleries spread throughout Mitchell & Yancey Counties. Our talented Toe River Arts artist members are glass blowers, jewelers, printmakers, potters, fiber artists, metal workers, painters, sculptors, photographers, mixed media artists, and woodworkers.
Only 40 minutes north of Asheville and two hours from Charlotte & Greenville, the Studio Tour makes for an exciting day trip or a fantastic way to enjoy a weekend mini vacation. Both Chambers of Commerce in Burnsville-Yancey and Mitchell County provide information on lodging, eateries, and other local events. Additionally, Toe River Arts is incredibly grateful to Explore Burnsville for being the event sponsor.
For more than a quarter century, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour has intrigued those who make the journey to visit places of inspiration and creation. Situated between Roan Mountain, which boasts the world’s largest rhododendron garden, and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, the Toe River Arts Studio Tour is a free, self-guided
Artist studios are exciting places to visit because they offer a glimpse into the dynamic processes used to create a finished piece. Every artist has their own way of telling a story, inviting visitors to ask questions, hold their work, and share a moment. You can count on the studios being as unique as the artists: the building off to the side of the house, or across the field or down the road or right off the main road or down a gravel one-lane. Two-stories with a gallery space or small and cozy with a table set up or cleared off for display. Still there are others that devote a corner to each artist sharing the space.
The June Studio Tour Exhibition is now open in the Kokol Gallery, in Toe River Arts’ Spruce Pine location at 269 Oak Ave, and runs through Sunday, June 9, 2024. This exhibition gives visitors an opportunity to have a glimpse into each studio and plan their route. It is also a great place to begin the tour or take a break from a day of non-stop art and artists.
Normal gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday; and 10am – 5pm during the Studio Tour, 5/31 – 6/2.
Toe River Arts is a non-profit organization that has been connecting the community with the arts for over four decades.
Join us for a North Carolina winery tour and celebrate a date night, bachelorette party, retirement, family, or a weekend away while sampling our favorite local beverages along the way. Our standard tour includes visits to three Asheville area vineyards. With safe and reliable transportation provided, you can sit back, relax and just have fun.
Included:
- Round trip transportation*
- Three vineyard visits
- Tastings at two of your three stops. Let’s just say that the pours at the first couple of locations are generous so we like to leave the third-stop beverage choice up to you.
- Time commitment = up to 5 hours
Want to include specific vineyards on your Asheville wine tours? If you have “must-see” wineries in mind or want to craft a full day catered to your group’s interests, we’re always happy to create a custom experience. Reach out any time!
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Explore Beer City on the one and only Fender Bender!
Duration
3 hours
About
Visit 3 breweries in under three hours on a purple bus with a live band! Beer purchased from the LaZoom Room or at the brewery stops are allowed on the bus. This tour sells out quickly, so please book in advance. This tour is perfect for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and any kind of get together. This tour is not great if you want to see any behind the scenes of beer making. We’re all about the fun on this tour!
Age Restrictions
21 and up. No exceptions.
What’s Included
3 Brewery Stops (30 Minutes each) Highland, New Belgium, & The Wedge at Foundation
Bottled Water
Amazing Live Music
Transportation to breweries
Charismatic Beer Host
What’s Not Included
Beer (You can buy from The LaZoom Room)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.
Explore Beer City on the one and only Fender Bender!
Duration
3 hours
About
Visit 3 breweries in under three hours on a purple bus with a live band! Beer purchased from the LaZoom Room or at the brewery stops are allowed on the bus. This tour sells out quickly, so please book in advance. This tour is perfect for birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and any kind of get together. This tour is not great if you want to see any behind the scenes of beer making. We’re all about the fun on this tour!
Age Restrictions
21 and up. No exceptions.
What’s Included
3 Brewery Stops (30 Minutes each) Highland, New Belgium, & The Wedge at Foundation
Bottled Water
Amazing Live Music
Transportation to breweries
Charismatic Beer Host
What’s Not Included
Beer (You can buy from The LaZoom Room)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.
Waitlist
If your desired time and availability is full, then please give us a call to be added to the waitlist.
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a very unique creature that some say resembles a collection of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest.
The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County.
You’ll experience an educational presentation at our outdoor amphitheater starting at 8:45 pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest. Team members will be stationed at key locations around the trail to provide further information about this amazing natural phenomenon. Please feel free to congregate near these areas with your fellow firefly enthusiasts, or go explore on your own! We require everyone to stay on the trail to prevent habitat damage, and team members will clear the trail and require everyone to depart by 10:30 pm.
Ticket Purchase/Pre-registration is required. Actual tickets are not provided. Your ticket purchase receipt serves as your ticket/date confirmation. This is a light rain or shine, family-friendly event!
In order to maximize our participant experience while minimizing our impact on the resource, we limit each night to 125 participants.
Due to the uniqueness of the insects in the natural habitat, it is very difficult to capture photos. Very specific camera equipment is needed and it is almost impossible to capture a photo with a phone camera. Flash from the cameras disturbs the natural habitat and because it is dark, other participants will not see your equipment and you run the risk of damage. Setting up a tripod in the cover of darkness and attempting to capture photos with 125 additional people on the nightly tour is very difficult and does not provide a positive experience for both you or the additional tour attendees. The best way to view this natural phenomenon is to capture the images in your mind’s eye.
If you are interested in taking photos or for photography enthusiasts, we are offering a specific Blue Ghost Photography event and would suggest that you register for the Blue Ghost Photo Tours.
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EVENT? CHECK OUT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS INFORMATION SHEET
PLEASE NOTE: If the date you wish to attend is not appearing as a selection for ticket purchase, that date is at capacity so you will need to select another date to attend.
Tickets will ONLY be available for purchase ONLINE. All ticket purchases are NON-REFUNDABLE AND CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER NIGHT. You CANNOT purchase tickets on site at the Cradle.
There is NO waitlist for this event.
Gates open at 8:00 pm
Event from 8:45 pm to 10:30 pm
Program starts promptly at 8:45 pm
WHAT TO BRING
Rain Jacket
Flashlight (we provide red cellophane to cover your flashlight)
Comfortable Walking Shoes (For optimal viewing and to protect the habitat we request that “light up” shoes NOT be worn)
Please leave all types of Cameras at home. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, cameras, mobile phone cameras and tripods are not recommended for this event. The event is best enjoyed and remembered through your mind’s eye!
Sense of Wonder
Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.
Hear stories of . . .
The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
The GHOST of Church Street
The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
The architect walled into his own church!
The KILLING SPREE of 1906
NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald
Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!
Duration
1 hour and 30 minutes
About
Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!
Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!
Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.
Age Restrictions
13 and up. No exceptions.
Stops
10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery
What’s Included
Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop
What’s Not Included
Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.